Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Charming French Tote Giveaway

All of your wonderful comments regarding the Ultimate DIY truly warmed my heart. Many of you shared your own journeys and they touched me deeply. Thank you so very much my dear friends. Let’s continue the celebration with a fantastic French Tote giveaway from The French Basketeer.

Over the years I have walked markets filled with fabulous fabrics in Egypt Cobblestoned alleyways in Greece… Glorious Christmas markets in Germany Farmers markets in England. But the French markets were the markets that truly captured my heart. They had that certain “Je ne sais quoi”. All of the markets in all of the different countries had one thing in common: baskets. My heart leaps with glee to see such market stalls selling baskets. It is truly a chic alternative to the dreadful plastic bag. Baskets are used to display goods for sale. Of course shoppers also buy baskets to carry their purchases. Sturdy baskets are a mainstay at any European market. They can easily carry all of your fabulous finds such as fabric, food or flowers. They are even sturdy enough to carry a four legged friend. While the baskets are plentiful in Europe, they have been hard to come by in the states. The French Basketeer has changed all that. Her online shop carries lovely treasures such as these darling rolling carts made by a French family for over three generations. Andrea is the delightful owner of The French Basketeer. She attended university in France and continues to live in this glorious country for part of the year. Her shop also carries these organic produce bags that are available in a beautiful white cotton which dyes beautifully. They are machine washable and have many wonderful uses. Her glorious shop carries French shopping totes in all shapes, sizes and colors. Wouldn’t these citrus delights be a perfect bridesmaid gift? They can be monogrammed. Andrea has graciously offered Decor To Adore readers the chance to win one of her best selling totes. The St. Remy is a beautiful tote woven from natural fibers. It is a sturdy shopper that features a zippered interior pocket.

The Marseille tote features a traditional African motif made of raffia. It is fully lined and has a zippered interior pocket. The giveaway rules are simple. Please visit The French Basketeer and choose one other tote that you love. Come back to this post and list your favorite tote as well as the tote you would love to win. This giveaway will be linked to the 4th Annual Twice Remembered Cottage Giveaway Event. This is the 3rd year I have hosted a giveaway. If you have never participated, you are missing out on great fun. A winner for the beautiful French Tote has been selected. Please see the May 29th post.

383 comments
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HI Laura..Having lived in Europe, I fully realize the necessity of a good sturdy shopping basket! These are simply Perfect!my extra choice is the St Tropez YELLOW! I adore blues.. but sunshine yellow makes me giddy with joy!Of the two offered,, I prefer the green one!thanks for the wonderful giveaway!Hugs,,smiles too!Loui♥louiewindom@gmail.com

Oh my goodness, Laura! I just read the post about your graduation and all of your obstacles along the way! I am so inspired by such an incredible story that it makes me want to cry! I will always remember this story in the future if any time I think "I can't"! You have carried on the Ingalls determination incredibly...I have admired the little girl in the Little House books all of these years and you truly make me think of her!

If you were here right now, I would give you a big fat "motherly" hug! :) May God continue to bless you with courage and determination!

HI!!!!I choose Cannes ROSE--Hands down!!!!It is lovely!!!!I would gladly carry that bag around to the market!!!I am getting better at bringing my reusable shopping bags!!!So Proud of you and daughter!!!!Great job!!!!hugs,jamie

I love the St. Tropez blue tote. I love anything blue, so this one spoke to my heart. They are all gorgeous! And so useful! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway. I am so excited to have a chance to win. Love & blessings from NC!

Laura, I love the GRASSE, it's a classic! Gorgeous pictures of places that I've dreamed of! Also, food for thought as to how I might bring some of that European flare home and use baskets more in my everyday life. Thank you for the inspiration!xx P&H

Wow- they're amazing baskets (more like little works of art)and I do also like the Aix... but I have to say, my absolute favorite FAVORITE of all is the Marseille. How elegant I'd feel carrying that little beauty around!

I love the Cannes Fuschia and the St. Remy SO much! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway! These are GREAT! Just discovered your beautiful blog this morning. Congratulations on your recent accomplishment. It was beautiful to read about. :) Cheers! And Hugs.

Hi Laura! :-)I loved the Dijon Rose on that wonderful, scrumptious website! :) I like the Marseille Tote for the giveaway. :)If I win you can find me at http://mycottagecharm.blogspot.com BlessingsMelissa!

Wowwwwwwwwwwww!! Laura, thanks for the chance to win! Her baskets are truly AMAZING!!! WOW!! I loveeeeeeeeeeee this one.... http://shop.frenchbasketeer.com/product.sc;jsessionid=27F5F3E01DA0C6CB8F1BE1F1B0F146B7.qscstrfrnt05?productId=9&categoryId=1 ... in her shop... and I would love the chance to win the St. Remy one!!! Gorgeous photos today too, by the way!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

What a wonderful story about school and graduation. You are like the little train that could. Good on ya!!!Thanks for the give a way. I love the St. Paul bag. I love how the handles wrap around and give it strength for what ever I would want to put in it.The Marseille bag is beautiful too.

The French markets were super wonderful when I got to go last summer. I was envious of the French shoppers and their cute resuabale totes. Merci for visiting and enteringy my giveaway and inviting me to yours. I'm your 815 follower too!Hugs N Herbal Blessings, Mandy

Thank you for your visit to my blog and your sweet comment! I LOVE the pictures of the market, the veggies! and the baskets...amazing! Wish we did things like that here!I think shopping would be more fun!Sharon@Keeninspirations

Cap Ferrat Fuschia, I love this one. Although they are all so equally beautiful.

Thanks for letting me know of the giveaway.

This morning I just read that a little girl that had heart surgery a month ago lost her battle and is with Jesus now. So incredibly sad, this was a nice surprise to receive a note in the mail that you were doing this.

St. Tropez Fuschia .......is my favorite. But if I am lucky enough to win, I would love anything.A blogger friend (June) sent me your way yesterday to read your post yesterday. Wonderful story. I decided after reading your lovely words that I needed to follow you to learn more about you.I, too, went back to school when I was older. Graduated at 39. We had just adopted a special needs child and we had three others in college. I also worked part time, all around the schedule of my new son. It was just a two year degree and took me 4 years. There were extra hours required for labs and student teaching. I was so proud that I did it. So wonderful that you and your daughter graduated together. I am very proud of you and don't even know you. ((((HUGS)))

Hi Laura, Thanks so much for dropping by and I have to congratulate you first on your success in the class room. Way to GO! Pink....anything pink....yep....I would pick a pink basket tote. :) Thanks for giving me a chance to enter your cottage give-away.

Laura, I am so thrilled that so many people read your story. I know they have all been so blessed, just like I was. Your giveaway is so perfect. I think we all love a beautiful basket. There were so many wonderful ones to choose from on her sight, however I loved the St. Remy and the Marseille. I think both are so classic and chic. Hope your day is a super one. Hugs, Marty

OMG those baskets and tote are just gorgeous!! It is almost impossible to choose just one. I adore the Antibes Blue. I also love the Cannes Fushia. They are all delightful. As for which one I would like to win (if I weree so lucky to be picked) I would choose the St Remy.

Love the St Tropez Blue! What a vivid color. What about a lovely purple basket? I noticed your header is all in lavender-that makes my heart sing. I would love to win the St Remy basket. It's strange that people all over the world use market baskets but we can't get used to the idea here. We bought several great baskets off a cart down the street from our friends flat while visiting in Egypt. Love them.

Laura, thank you for stopping by, I choose the Remy! I read your post last week about your graduation,but could not leave a comment so will do it now. That was a wonderful story so well told and with such a happy ending ! congratulations!

I just love the Cannes Fresh Green, wonderful bags...all of them. Thanks for entering and please enter me in yours. I also read your DIY post via Note Songs, it was an amazing post. Life can deal some very tough things but God is gracious. Thank you

Not only are Andrea's totes fabulous, she herself is pretty special too! Such a kind, warm, generous and great gal. I love her EZE bag, but having seen these in person, ALL of her bags are beyond wonderful! xoxo Lidy

Hi Laura, What a fabulous giveaway! From the site I like the Dijon Natural but my very favorite is the Marseille tote. Im still carrying around a diaper bag for my little guy and this would make a lovely alternative for summer. Thanks so much for the gorgeous eye candy above...Hope you are enjoying your week! Take care, Stephanie Lynn

Your post was a colorful feast to my eyes. Made me want to travel. Well done! I would love to win the Marseille basket and the Bandol was my favorite on the website. Thanks and blessed day wishes to my blogger AZ friend.

I visited their website and they all are so beautiful! I really love the Cannes Fresh Green. I also love the two you are giving away and can't decide which I like more! They are both great!!! I would be happy to win either!

Life in South America involved a lot of baskets, too. I took one every week to the vegetable market. I had a special one just for eggs. They are so practical and beautiful at the same time.I love the Cassis yellow tote.

I love the Menton tote basket, would be perfect for the beach! The tote I'd love to win would be the St. Remy. Thanks for hosting such a fun giveaway!! I love baskets, and use them at our local French/Farmer's Markets!

Love the pretty bags. I especially also had my eye on the EZE with the brown handles. You always have such a way with blogging, writing the perfect post and accented with a tour of beautiful photos. I want to return to Europe after reading your post.

Also Congratulations Graduate! Such an awesome story as well. Lunch in Scottsdale compliments of me anytime to celebrate. God Bless and Love sent your way.~Dawn

Love baskets and these totes are very nice and attractive. My choice would be the 'Eze'. The natural color is my fav and the handles are perfect. I like the boxy shape, nice and neat.Thanks, Laura for stopping by and your words of comfort are just that; comforting!Blessings,Linda

p.s.I was scrolling down to read some of your other posts and all I have to say it was very inspiring. You need to write a book, if you haven't already. Very INSPIRATIONAL, Bravo dear lady!

Oh Laura Congratulations! What a wonderful accomplishment! And what a lucky girl you have been to be able to have seen such beautiful places! All of those baskets are gorgeous! and the tote is also! I would love to have one :) Thanks for the invite to join your giveaway! *my fingers are crossed*Have a great day!

Wonderful giveaway and leave it to the Europeans to be really "green" and making it so "chic". I lived in Italy and so miss the neighborhood market days! Found your charming blog via Susan's Between Naps on the Porch and read your comment about this giveaway and so glad I popped on over. I love the "Cannes Orange" and would love to win this because it is also my favorite size. All the colors are fantastic! I'm off now to add your blog to my Google Reader, fondly, Robertarlphilbr13@aol.comhttp://con-tain-it.typepad.com

Neat giveaway, btw, but, first I'd like to say how happy I am to have found your blog through a comment you left on Thrifty Living. You're an inspiration to many, no doubt. Congratulations!

These baskets are beautiful, and I'm in love with the St.Paul. However, if I were to win, I would choose the Marseille, as this is something I just KNOW my sweet mother in law would adore. Since last October she has battled an aggressive Cancer, but has remained strong, despite her struggles. She hardly missed a day of work, but prefers carrying large purses to avoid unnecessary walking. I would love for her to have something beautiful and stylish to carry, and I think the Marseille would be perfect for her! :)

Hello, Laura. Such a wonderful and generous giveaway! Please enter me! Goodness, so many beautiful totes Andrea has! I absolutely adore the Cannes Rose tote and the St. Remy. And wow, I would love to someday purchase one of her rolling carts ~ I could sure fit lots of goodies in those!

This is awesome, Laura. I would the Cannes Fushia over on her site, but I would be happy with any of them. My entire family tries to be as "green" as possible.Your images brought back some wonderful moments while shopping in Europe. Don't you just love the open-air markets? Everyone is so friendly and happy. xx's Marsha

i love everyone of these great totes. how... how does one choose just one? my choice for the giveaway would be Dijon Natural.I think I will be adding a few of these to my closet soon...Looks like summer!

What a beautiful site! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me. My favorite of the totes is the Antibes Yellow. Thanks for hosting a wonderful giveaway. I'm looking forward to visiting again and enjoying your beautiful blog.

Laura, Congratulations in your new degree! (I couldn't resist after that story I just read; and having once been an interior design major, I KNOW how tough it is!). But more importantly, how wonderful to read a story where someone took lemons and tuned into lemonade!

As for the give-away - so hard to choose! This type of bag is exactly what I've been looking for - how it stands up on it's own, too! I love the Marseille for a sophisticated look and the Eze for summer. There wasn't a one I didn't adore. I'll be bookmarking this for my next purse purchase! No need for me to look further!

I love, love, love all of these bags. I especially like the CANNES FUCHIA...love that color. I also would love to win the first bag shown of the two but would be thrilled with either!!! Thanks so much for your generosity.

well...if I won I would choose the St.Remy. After looking at the site I really really like the St. Tropez and I do love and on any other day would choose the Rose but today I am really loving the fresh green color!

Oh what a wonderful give-a-way!! To have a beautiful basket and a day to leisurely shop at any one of those markets!!! Beautiful photos!! I l-o-v-e!!! the roll around basket gorgeous! but to choose the Cannes in fresh green and the Marseilles. I could see my knitting in one of these as well!! Merci' for the opportunity...fingers crossed:)

What an awesome giveaway.....would love to win....I have had so little time to catch up on my favorite blogs. Hope you will stop by...I have a great Disney giveaway...http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/

You really are a very clever girl!I live in Oz which probably puts me out but the cassis fuschia certainly makes an amazing statement! You are book marked now so I can always find you and your amazing story when I need a little push along!

Call me boring but I like the bandol tote the best...simple cream colored tote to go with anything! What gorgeously fun pictures in this post Laura!!!!! Such a great giveaway, thanks so much for the chance...

Thanks so much for joining my link party today! Of course I will enter your awesome giveaway! I love the Antibes Fresh Green (black handles) and the Marsaelles (sp?)...this window is blocking the correct spelling..sorry! :o) I love your blog and again, thanks so much for sharing!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I really love baskets too! Looking over the website, I love the St. Tropez Yellow! I think it would be great to take to the farmers market!Of the two you have listed to win, well I would love to win the Marseille tote! Thanks so much for hosting this great giveaway!Congrats on graduating!I will be sure to check out the rest of your blog!

Oh my, I am in love with this giveaway. All the bags are wonderful but one of my favorites is the St Paul Tote. Hubby and I are visiting France in September and this tote would be wonderful to carry to the Brocante! Hugs,Sherry

162 comments! Holy smokes! I adore totes. They've become a staple in our life with afterschool sporting activites and library book selection day ... oh the possibilities! St. Remy is my favorite pick here.

I love shopping in other countries and I really enjoyed your photos, Laura. My favorite at the French Basketeer is the Bandol. I like the longer leather handles and I would prefer to win the Marseille. Wonderful giveaway!...Christine

Thanks so much for visiting That Old House! And for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway. I visited the Basketeer site, and love the Bandol bag. Perfect for summer shopping!

As is the St Remy, my choice of the two you pictured. Gorgeous, both of them. My daughters and I were just talking about shopping bags today -- we are planning to sew our own, but these raffia ones are so special; my mother and her sisters used to carry them!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today! It meant a lot to me, especially after reading your story yesterday. I'm teary again just thinking of it. :-) The baskets are just lovely! I adore European markets too, so very much. :-) I love the St. Tropez Blue and Cannes Fuschia the best. :-) Big hug to you my brave blogging friend. :-)

My favorite basket was easy to find...the second, Antibes Blue. It's my favorite because the colors blue & green remind me of the change for change that I'm trying to make to live the life I imagine. Green for life & blue for water which we all need and I personally love the oceans.

My daughter found your blog & couldn't wait for me to see your inspiration. We are two of your many followers. Oh, yes...we LOVE Europe!

oh my goodness, thank you so much for sharing the link to this delightful shop! I can see already I'll be spending a great deal of time shopping there :) It is so hard to pick a favorite as they are all lovely and each has it's own special qualities but if I had to name one it would be the 'Cassis' in french Green. Please count me in on your very generous giveaway!

Hello sweet Laura - First, you have a beautiful blog. I'm a new follower. Thank you for sharing the pretty photos! And for introducing me to Andrea's fabulous totes. I enjoyed browsing her designs. My fave is the Cannes in Fresh Green. And if I am lucky to win one, I would love the Marseille! Thank you for hosting such a generous giveaway.

Oh my! I would LOVE to be named the winner here! I am swooning over the EZE tote in a large..would be so serviceable for me!...and I think I would choose the Marseille...that motif really catches my eye. Thanks for hosting a great giveaway.

I came to visit you via Leigh of Bloggeritaville and loved your post..am a sucker for a basket...loved the Antibes Blue..as well as every one I looked at(I will probably be visiting them regularly)from the Basket website...and the Marseille Tote from your giveaway.

I found your site through Tales from Bloggeritaville. Thanks for the tip about french basketeer. I just ordered the produce bags to use as a door prize for my upcoming learn how to can party! I would love to win the St. Remy. I really like the Antibes Blue too.